ABSTRACT
Background: Raw materials are major sources of heavy metals contaminants in pharmaceutical products .The raw materials used in formulation of antacids are obtained from the earth’s crust where heavy metals are naturally deposited. Heavy metals are natural components of the earth’s crust which accumulates in the earths crust through the process of weathering and erosion, they can contaminate these raw materials, thereby making it toxic to health, this toxicity has been shown in past studies to be associated with several health risk.
Objective: This study is carried out to determine the content of lead, cadmium, nickel in some brands of antacid and to assess their concentration present in the maximum recommended daily dose approved by the manufacturers of the brands being investigated.
Method: 20 brands of antacids were investigated by elemental analysis for presence of lead, cadmium and nickel. The samples were analyzed for heavy metals using atomic absorption spectrophotometer Model-Buck scientific 210VGP.
Result: Lead was detected in 6 brands, cadmium in 3 brands, and nickel in 3 brands. The lead, cadmium, and nickel concentration were within the ranges of 10-20µg/L, 10-25µg/L and 10- 20 µg/L respectively. The maximum intake of lead, cadmium and nickel were within the range of 0.4-0.8 µg/day, 0.4-1µg/day, 0.4-0.8 µg/day respectively.
Conclusion: The concentration of lead, nickel and cadmium in the antacids investigated was below the exposure limit established by the International Conference on Harmonization. Hence is safe to be administered for treatment of acid reflux, heartburn and indigestion.
Keywords: Heavy metals, antacid, atomic absorption spectrophotometry
